As part of the Cambridge Public Schools’ Innovation Agenda, the project includes a 359,000 sf new facility to house the Tobin Montessori School, Vassal Lane Upper School, and the City Department of Human Services Preschool and After School Programs. The project, includes classrooms, science labs, art rooms, music rooms, computer labs, OT/PT rooms, a 400-seat auditorium, kitchen/dining and athletic facilities, conference and administrative space, and an underground parking garage.
The building will operate with no onsite carbon emissions. Heating, air conditioning, and domestic hot water systems include all-electric heat pumps with a hybrid of geo-source and air-source energy. A 1,000 kW roof-mounted photovoltaic array reduces reliance on public utility electric power.
The HVAC design includes dedicated outdoor air systems, air-side energy recovery, demand-control ventilation, and high efficiency pumps and motors. The lighting design includes LED lighting and daylight monitoring with automated dimming, achieving a power density level approximately 30% below Code-allowed.
Recognition
LEED Gold Target
Services
Mechanical
Electrical
Plumbing
Fire Protection
Technology
Lighting
Metrics
359,000 sf
Architect
Perkins Eastman
© 2025 Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering